Mayor Larry Degato

Mayor Larry Delgado, the Mayor of Santa Fe, New Mexico
enthusiastically agreed to an interview by NewMexicoActors.com the 27th
of June 2000.. We thank Mayor Delgado for his generosity in allowing time for
this interview.

NMADC: Can you tell us about the Santa Fe film office?

Mayor: As you know, Santa Fe is a destination for film, video and
documentary work. In Sept. of 99, we passed a resolution adopting what
we called the Movie Industry. We created what is known today as the
Santa Fe Mayor's Movie Task Force. We're attending trade shows in the
film industry, we're also bringing film-makers into Santa Fe and show
them sites. We also wor with the New Mexico Film Office. I don't think
we've done as much as we could, I think we could do more in that area.
It's a good industry that brings a lot of revenue into the state, not
only in what they spend here but also jobs for people. Actors and
people in the building trades. We're working on those areas and hope to
improve them in the future.

NMADC: Can you explain the task force?

Mayor: The task force is made up of different people throughout the
community. People from the chamber of commerce, people in the film
industry and people who have connections in the industry are put in
this task force and advise the city council in certain areas where we
could make this thing work much better. Because the film industry is
really welcomed in this area. Santa Fe's citizens watch what happens
in the city very close and I've yet to see anybody upset when they're
shooting. They seem to be comfortable with it. People who've worked
here before in the film industry, I think that word has gotten out.
I think we can do a better job at the city and the state level in
attracting people here.

NMADC: What has the Santa Fe film office done to promote the film
industry here in New Mexico and Santa Fe, moreso recently?

Mayor: Becky Ellis, the head of the Visitors and Convention Bureau,
spend a lot of time marketing film, video and still photography and
they facillitate acting for resources for personnel, services,
locations, liasons between the city and production companies. It's
trying to get the word out. There are people who are not really aware
how important this industry could be to the city of Santa Fe. I think
there's also an education process that's got be addressed.

NMADC: Do you feel the visitors bureau is doing all they can to get the
word out about the film industry here?

Mayor: I understand there's room for improvement, but I also understand
there is limited resources sometimes. I think they're doing the best
they can with what they got. I would hope they would have more
resources so they could expand their scope. Not only for Santa Fe but
the other surrounding communities as well.

NMADC: What do you envision for Santa Fe or the state in the future
concerning the film industry here?

Mayor: I would see it improving. Even the present governing body has a
real feeling that this is something that could work very well for the
community. But I think that the municipalities need to come together
and go to the legislature and see that the state film commission would
get more resources in order to work. Because it does trickle down to
us.

NMADC: Is city hall cooperative with production companies coming into
the area?

Mayor: Very nuch so. I've had to lead parties to look over the area to
do something here. I've shown them we're ready to work with them. Our
police are ready to block streets when they're shooting. We say to
them, "We're going to do everything we can to make your shoot work for
you."

NMADC: What intriques you about the film industry as a citizen, not as
the Mayor?

Mayor: I love movies! I'm a movie nut. We go to movies, there's no
distractions and I can really get into the movie. I think it's
wonderful. Santa Fe has so much, the light, the color.

NMADC: How would you feel about any of the films doe here last year
doing a premier here in Santa Fe?

Mayor: I'd love it! By this time next year the Lensic theater will be
done. For a premier that would be great. I think the premiers would
really go over big here. A lot of the people who live here have
connections in the film industry.

NMADC: If you could be in a movie and play any character, what would
it be?

Mayor: Well, horses and I don't get along very well. (laughs) I think
something to do with the early west, one of the early explorers. I'm an
amateur history buff and what those men saw when the country was so new
must've been quite an experience.

NewMexicoActors wishes to thank Mayor Larry Delgado for taking time out
of his busy schedule to do this interview with us. Thank you sir.